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Nick Clegg has accused the Conservatives of an "ideological fatwa" against new wind farms and condemned his coalition colleagues for abandoning their commitment to the environment.

The Liberal Democrat leader said the Tories had lurched dramatically to the right since coming to power five years ago, highlighting green issues, the European Union and civil liberties as areas where differences had deepened between the two parties.

Referring to David Cameron's famous trip to the Arctic when in opposition, Clegg said: "I certainly think that if you go back to the Conservative Party in 2010 it was all husky hugging, they professed an interest in civil liberties, they professed an interest in the environment, they professed an interest in being a centrist Conservative Party.

"They appear to have absolutely no interest in the environment whatsoever," added the deputy prime minister.

"Their language has increasingly sought to mimic Ukip as they have tacked to the right."

Mr Clegg said: "I don't know what the Conservative Party has got against wind farms. Of course you have got to make sure that local communities are consulted and you don't run roughshod over local feelings.

"But I just don't get this sudden ideological fatwa against wind farms, I just don't get it."

Fracking can take place in national parks because the visual intrusion it causes is minimal and the environmental risks have been exaggerated, the Environment Agency’s outgoing chairman has said.

According to The Times (£), Lord Smith of Finsbury said that provided fracking was properly regulated it would be safe and “very useful” in helping Britain reduce its reliance on imported gas and dirty coal-fired power stations.

The entrance to the Cuadrilla exploratory drilling site in Balcombe, West Sussex Credit: PA

The comments by the former Labour cabinet minister are significant because he is highly respected among environmental groups which oppose fracking.

The National Trust, RSPB, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and the Angling Trust have called for fracking to be banned in Britain’s 15 national parks.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change says it has "needed to drive through reforms to secure investment in new generation to keep the lights on in the years and decades ahead" after suggestions it may have cost consumers by awarding eight renewables contracts too early.

A spokesperson said the National Audit Office's report recognises that the early deals were "designed to offer better value to bill-payers" by reassuring investors.

"Without that investment, projects would have been unable to go ahead or been significantly delayed - putting our future energy security at risk."

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Early contracts for five wind farm projects were agreed. Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

The government may have pushed up costs for consumers by awarding billions of pounds worth of contracts for renewables without any competition, the spending watchdog has said.

Eight long-term renewable energy deals with a total value of £16.6 billion were awarded early to avoid delays in investment as the government brought in the new "contracts for difference" scheme, which guarantees an agreed price for electricity generated by low-carbon energy.

The contracts were awarded to develop five offshore wind farms, for two coal plants to convert to burning biomass and for one new biomass combined heat and power plant, the National Audit Office said.

The NAO believes the scale of the contracts - awarded without competition between developers - may have increased costs for consumers, who have to meet the price of developing low-carbon power through their energy bills.

Human beings need to stop prioritising themselves over the environment and help wildlife instead of "chasing cures for cancer", Springwatch presenter Chris Packham has said.

Springwatch presenter Chris Packham. Credit: PA

In a wide ranging and forthright interview, Packham hit out at Richard Branson's "grotesquely misinformed" project to put lemurs on a Caribbean island, and said that Christianity "doesn't help" when it comes to getting people to change their attitude and think about the planet.

The wildlife expert called on wealthy philanthropists to stop prioritising human health and to fund environmental causes instead.